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- In the wake of the novel coronavirus, milestone events like birthdays and graduation ceremonies have shifted to hands-free or socially distant forms of celebration.
- Although celebrating the birthday of someone you love — while unable to physically be with them — can be difficult, a small gift or experience can help make it feel like you're right by their side.
- We also noted gifts and experiences that are entirely hands-free, to protect those who are quarantined or practicing self-isolation and unable to open a door to receive deliveries.
- See also: 23 small gifts and gestures for friends or family members who are having a hard time self-isolating or social distancing
Typically, birthdays are filled with treats, gifts, and experiences surrounded by loved ones. However, with the rise of the novel coronavirus, socially distant festivities have replaced longtime traditions. While a hands-free or virtual birthday celebration isn't quite the same as spending the day with family and friends, the right gift can help make you feel as close to them as possible under the circumstances.
We gathered a list of gifts, gestures, and tools that can help brighten the day of anyone celebrating a birthday while social distancing. Many of the items included below do involve opening the door to receive a package or interacting with the person making the delivery, so please keep that in mind when arranging deliveries. As such, we've noted all opportunities to select hands-free deliveries.
Regardless, it's our hope that these gifts can provide some much-needed joy to your loved ones on their special day.
Keep reading for 20 birthday gifts that will add cheer to a socially distant celebration.Read the original article on
Business Insider
A virtual wall of cards
Kudoboard
A
Kudoboard of virtual birthday wishes, free for up to 10 kudos and then from $5.99, available at
KudoboardKudoboard has become the Insider Reviews team's default for birthday surprises — it's essentially a virtual bulletin board of messages, gifs, and photos for the lucky recipient. While in-person surprise parties are off the table, a surprise Kudoboard has the same element of personality.
This is a completely hands-free option.
A celebrity surprise
Cameo
Cameo video message, from $15, available at
CameoIf you can't physically be with a loved one on their birthday, a video surprise from someone they admire might just be the next best thing. From athletes to influencers, Cameo's impressive selection can make for a lovingly personal surprise.
This is a completely hands-free option.
Birchbox
Birchbox
Birchbox gift subscription (3 months), from $30, available at
BirchboxA gift for the beauty enthusiast in your life (or a newbie that wants to try some products before committing), Birchbox provides a monthly array of beauty samples with the option to purchase full-sized products later. If they purchase any of the sample products, they'll be rewarded loyalty points for the Birchbox Shop, too.
A birthday gift for bibliophiles
Book of the Month
Book of the Month Gift Membership (3 months), from $49.99, available at
Book of the MonthWhen it comes to sorting through books, sometimes the abundance of options does more harm than good. For those that love to read but aren't as great at making decisions (guilty), Book of the Month is a good option as they'll choose one of five popular titles to read each month.
A knitting kit for beginners
We Are Knitters
An entertaining game for artists
Uncommon Goods
Art Out of the Box Solo Drawing Game, $20, available at
Uncommon GoodsFor those that are artistically inclined, this game will shift them right out of any artist's block and leave recipients feeling creatively fulfilled. Since it's a solo game, it's an especially fun gift to send to those who may be practicing social distancing on their own.
Silky pajamas perfect for all-day lounging
Summersalt Instagram
Summersalt Cloud 9 Silky PJ set, $95, available at
SummersaltThis unbelievably soft, breathable pajama set will add variety to anyone's at-home wardrobe. Summersalt is one of our top places to buy women's loungewear because of its versatility, ranging from this silky set to cashmere fit for the work from home lifestyle.
A frame that wears its heart on its sleeve
Framebridge
Heartstagram 11x11 frame, $39, available at
FramebridgeFramebridge will frame just about anything, whether a favorite Instagram photo or a college diploma. This adorable heart-shaped photo frame will remind any recipient of just how much you love them, regardless of distance.
A cake fit for a celebration
Milk Bar
Milk Bar Birthday Cake, $50, available at
Milk BarMilk Bar's Birthday Cake is a staple for a reason. It's beautifully constructed while tasting like the classic confetti cake we're all nostalgic for from childhood. As a more affordable option, the B'Day Truffles are also a hit.
A classic bouquet
1-800-FLOWERS
A birthday bouquet, from $29.99, available at one of our
top flower delivery servicesFlowers rarely disappoint — they're a simple, yet elegant way to remind someone you're thinking of them. Flower delivery services like The Bouqs Co. and Urbanstems create bouquets specifically designed for birthdays, which makes for a hassle-free browsing experience.
A deliciously unique gift box
Mouth
Birthday in a Box, from $70, available at
MouthMouth's curated food boxes are among our favorite food gifts due to their unique concepts and reliable delivery. Mouth's Birthday in a Box is no different, featuring brightly colored treats such as cotton candy popcorn and birthday marshmallows.
A new skill taught by an expert
MasterClass
A new take on hard seltzer
Uncommon Goods
Hard Seltzer Making Kit, $35, available at
Uncommon GoodsThis interactive kit includes all of the instructions and materials necessary to create grapefruit hard seltzer. If hard seltzer isn't their drink of choice, they can try out a bartending e-learning course catered to their drink of choice.
A box with all the birthday essentials
Etsy
Birthday box, from $25, available at
EtsyEtsy has no shortage of unique, handmade creations, and its selection of custom-made birthday boxes are no different. Whether craving a day at the spa, a Disney trip, or a classic birthday party, there's an option for nearly every interest and age bracket, across all budgets.
A postcard with personality
Amazon
Friendship Maintenance: 30 Postcards to Say How Much You Freaking Care, $11.25, available at
AmazonThese postcards strike a delicate balance between witty humor and unconditional love and read as though you and your friend are speaking face-to-face. Many cards in the set are a great fit for birthdays, while others can be used to send love to anyone who may need it at the moment.
A cake that explodes with joy
Williams Sonoma
Flour Shop Rainbow Explosion Cake Kit, from $59.99, available at
Williams Sonoma Flour Shop, a New York City-based bakery known for its signature Rainbow Explosion Cake, collaborated with Williams Sonoma to brighten up birthdays nationwide. The Rainbow Explosion Cake Kit comes with all of the essentials needed to bake an awesome birthday surprise.
A treat box to sweeten the day
SugarWish
Sugarwish custom treat box, from $19.98, available at
SugarwishA socially distant birthday can still be pretty sweet. With Sugarwish, you choose the number of treats, and an email will prompt the recipient to browse Sugarwish's selection for their favorite candy. They choose the arrival date, so as long as they wait until it's safe to receive deliveries, making Sugarwish an ideal option for those celebrating while self-isolated or quarantined.
This is a partially hands-free option. Receiving the Sugarwish delivery will require opening a door.
A tie-dye kit for clothes
Walmart
Tie-dye kits, from $15, available at
Walmart and
JOANNTie-dye is one of the biggest trends at the moment, and it's an excellent birthday-at-home activity as well. If you're celebrating a friend who lives nearby, the two of you can tie-dye outside together from a distance, so long as you follow the Center for Disease Control's guidelines for social distancing. Or, send it to your loved one to give them a fun way to spend their day, with something new to wear at the end of it.
A celebration from six feet away
Amazon
Poster making supplies, available at
Michaels and
AmazonBirthday parades have been all the rage lately, which essentially involves gathering friends and family, creating posters to tape onto your cars, and driving by the guest of honor's home to wish them a happy birthday.
If you're looking to do something similar, you can start from scratch with poster materials of your choice, or opt for a pre-made kit if art isn't your thing.
A tailor-made card and treat box
Greetabl
Greetabl, from $13, available at
GreetablA go-to among the Insider Reviews team for a reason, Greetabl creates completely customizable cards that can include a small gift inside. Upload a favorite photo or include fun treats like Sugarfina, and it can almost feel as though you're physically with them.